Geoff's Secret Book of Computer Truthiness

I've started a miniature book today that I will carry around in my coat pocket.  It is called "Geoff's Secret Book of Computer Truthiness" and contains a set of "rules" that dictate how one's job as a network administrator is to be fulfilled.

Today saw the addition of the first two rules.  The first rule is that being a network admin makes it necessary to adhere to a set of rules for one to be successful.

The second rule is more interesting.  And, for any potential coworkers reading this, realize that this isn't addressed to any of you.  It's a genericized rule for "net admins" when dealing with problems that "users" report to them.  It goes something like this:  Assume all users are idiots.  Never take for granted that a user's description of an issue is even remotely accurate.  Investigate and find out for yourself before acting (or deciding not to act)!

This second rule is very important.  It's basically the generalized "do your job" rule for net admins.  It's not that we can't trust our users or that they're trying to deceive us (though there exists a special class of user who DOES try to), it's that we have a level of expertise and users generally can't relate the problem accurately even when honestly trying.  So, part of the job is the personal inspection of problems--even seemingly clear ones.  This prevents serious problems from being ignored or mis-scheduled for later attention.  It also prevents minor issues like the caps lock key being on from being given undue priority over the mail server being on fire.

I'm dating when each rule is added to the book.  This might become rather interesting...maybe it will even expose a part of me to myself I was previously unaware of.